Subscribe To

Monday, May 5, 2014

CFL Draft 2014 Team Preview: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The
CFL Draft is just over a week away so it seems like a fitting time to look at
how the reigning champs stack up headed into the draft.

Picks: 6 picks, first
selection is 8th Overall

2013 Draft Assessment: There
was both good and bad to last year’s draft for the Riders. The bad was that 6
of their 7 picks came in the 5th round or later. The good was that
in-spite of that, they were actually pretty successful. In the 5th
round they grabbed both Levi Steinhauer and Spencer Moore who earned
significant playing time early. The jury is still out on Cory Watman. The
Riders claimed he was the most pro-ready OL in the draft but in-spite of a rash
of injuries along the OL, Watman was never used much. For now he’s good depth
at OL and if he can live up to his draft day hype then 2013 may prove to be a
decent draft year after all.

Potential Pipeline: n/a

Current Strengths: The
strength of the Riders by far is the O-line. The combo of Labatte, Picard, Best
and Heenan are among the league’s best. Also keep in mind that Heenan is
already an impact tackle in only his second year in the league. Getzlaf is
consistently among the most productive Canadian receiver. Bagg is an impact
player (as long as his knees hold up). After working through some early career
struggles, the Riders are glad they stuck with Milo (especially when you
consider the craptacularness of the 2 kickers taken before him in the 2011
draft). Foley remains a force at the DE spot. They also have a solid group of
gritty role players like McHenry, McCullough, Hughes, Woldu and Steinhauer which
is the backbone of any successful team.

Current Needs: Offseason
took its toll on the once vaunted group of impact Canadian defenders the Riders
boasted. It also took its toll on the overall depth. Gone are 4 Canadians that
played in the Grey Cup including 2 starters… and good ones at that. The Riders
still have 7 solid starters but now need to build the depth behind that and
replace the impact players that were lost. A healthy Sam Hurl will help. As
will the offseason additions of Josh Bartel and David Lee. I guess one could
include Shomari in that group but until we find a spot he can actually hold
down I’m holding off.

Any
position on defense is priority number one. The Riders may also look to build
depth at OL and WR but will hold off until later rounds to do so given that
they are currently set there.

Prediction: The 8th overall pick will be used on whoever
happens to be the best available defender left at that spot. Be it DE Dylan
Ainsworth, LB Beau Landry or DB Adam Thibault (who could all still be
available). At lot depends on how things shake out with picks 4 through 7.

Second round pick will likely be used in a similar fashion… though
if a decent O-lineman slipped that far I could see Taman forgoing need to and
taking him as has been his style. Also,
Taman likes to trade picks so I fully expect the Riders to make a draft day
trade involving the swapping of picks.